Author: Toristine Adger

The state championship-bound, McClatchy cross country team set out last Saturday to Cordova High School to race in the grand HOKA meet. 

The meet was sponsored by the very popular running shoe brand HOKA and the top three runners from each race had the opportunity to win a limited edition HOKA backpack. The race was two miles on a track, so about eight laps. 

The Lions gave it their all and did incredibly, even with many runners setting new personal records. The team has been doing really well this season, even with some runners being injured they give it their all. 

Reina is a sophomore at McClatchy and has been out from running due to an injury she sustained earlier in the season. She has just returned to running and has run 3 races since returning, including the HOKA race. 

“So Ms. Reina you have been injured for quite some time now and you’ve just recently gotten back to running. How does it feel to be back?”

“It feels really good. I’m really excited especially about the track season because I know there’s not a lot of cross country left and I feel like I am satisfied overall with my performances during these races.”

“Yes you’re already such an amazing runner and I’m sure the team is joyed to have you back! How did you feel you did at the meet?”

“I know I didn’t run my personal record and I was initially really frustrated about that but I think it’s due to the fact that I haven’t really done a lot of speed workouts and I know that I’m just going to have to be patient. Like, it’s a waiting game and it’s completely mental.”

 “Yes it is so mentally challenging, but I know you will do great!”

Hugh is a McClatchy freshman and is already an incredibly talented runner. Hugh suffered a nasty ankle injury at the last race in Clovis. He was tripped and his ankle was stepped on, but he didn’t let that hold him back as he only continued to get stronger. 

“So I know you had a pretty nasty accident at the last meet in Clovis. I’m sure many people weren’t expecting you to be back racing so soon. How do you feel after the incident?”

“It definitely hurt a lot and I couldn’t run for a week, which sucked. So I tried to get back to racing as soon as possible”

“Well, I am just glad that you’re okay because you’re a really good runner and you’re only a freshman at that! What did you feel like during your race?”

“The first 800 hundred meters I think I went out too fast, but I eventually settled in and started to feel a lot better. I feel like if I didn’t start off so fast I probably could’ve gotten top 5.”

“You can do this Hugh, we’re rooting for you!”

The runners repeatedly prove that lions are at the top of the food chain. They work hard and run strong. Another honorable mention is Marisa, a junior at McClatchy who ran such an amazing race that she moved by 4 points! Way to go Marisa and remember to stay lion-strong!

The amazing McClatchy Lions took off this Saturday at the Tom Laythe Invitationals

The race was held at Willow Hills in Folsom, a very brutal course that consisted of many big calf-wrenching hills. The freshmen/sophomore boys raced strong and were so close to placing first but they got passed by five racers at the finish line. 

The freshmen/sophomore girls also had an incredible run, placing 5th in the race! I spoke with the team’s coach, Coach Watkins, who had many pleasant things to say about the team’s performance.

“So Coach Watkins, how do you feel your runners did?”

“I think they did amazing. We started off today with Suja and Aiden going 1-2 in the freshmen and sophomore boys race and the team took second overall. That was fantastic, along with the freshmen and sophomore girls placing 5th overall and were looking really good. I was very excited, it was a really nice day to run!”

“I see you have coached them well, good job! Do you think they could have improved on anything?”

“Oh always, we can always improve and this only midseason we’re still looking at these races as training at this point and figuring out what we can do better. Just always looking for ways to improve!” 

“Well, we look forward to seeing that improvement! Thank you for your time and keep being such a good coach!”

Suja Amarkhil, a sophomore at McClatchy ran a phenomenal race finishing first out of many other teams. This is only his second year running but he is already so incredibly fast! 

“First off congrats on your race, you ran so effortlessly! I know the course was pretty tough, with all the hills and just having to compete against so many other runners. How did you feel as you ran?”

“I felt really good, the hills were really challenging. But I pushed through it and caught up to many people.”

“That’s so good. What was going through your mind as you approached the finish, about to win the race?”

“That was my first time winning a cross-country race and I couldn’t believe it! I thought there were more people right next to me, but they were a few seconds behind me. Which really motivated me and I finished strong” 

‘“Thank you so much for your time and once again, you did so well!”

Well, folks it just proves that when a team has a great coach the team will be great as well. Every runner ran so amazingly and made us all so proud. The Lions have a Metro League meet this Wednesday in Elk Grove and I’m positive we will see many more astonishing achievements from the team. Go lions!

The McClatchy Lions XC team set off on Thursday all the way to Irvine to race at the big Woodbridge Classic!

The runners went in with their heads held high, tightly laced running shoes, and a passion to win. And they did just that! Nineteen of the twenty-two racers from McClatchy set new personal records, along with several of the racers receiving medals for placing in the top 50 to finish the race. I had an opportunity to speak with two of the many amazing racers who ran at the meet.

Colette Combrink is a senior at McClatchy and has been running cross country for all four years! I asked Colette several questions during our interview but here are the most notable ones! 

“How did you feel leading up to the race?

“I was really nervous because it’s a really big meet, a ton of teams were there, and they’re really fast. But I was also super excited because I’ve run this meet before and I remember it being really fast and really fun.”

“That sounds really fun but quite challenging. Did you face any challenges during the race?”

“Yeah, I have been injured leading up to the race and hadn’t been practicing as much as I would have preferred to. So I was a little worried that my injury was going to start  hurting really bad during the race and I also just got out running really fast and struggled to keep that pace up, but I pushed through and made it to the finish!”

“Agh being injured sucks and I applaud your strength to keep running. Thank you so much for your time and stay hydrated!”

“Of course!”

Sam Rounds is a junior at McClatchy and has been running cross country since freshman year. He’s on the Ultraviolets, which is the second-fastest a person can run. He also placed in the top 50 at the race. 

“So Sam, how did you feel leading up to the race?”

“I was a little bit nervous the day before, but on the drive there as we got closer the more nervous I became. 

“So what did you do to calm your nerves?”

“I tried to sleep to keep my energy levels low so I didn’t over-exhaust myself.”

“I bet the anticipation leading up to the actual race was thrilling!”

“Yeah, when we started to warm up before the race I got more excited!”

“How did you feel after you received your medal?”

“It felt great, but I know I could have worked harder for it. I was happy to receive it though.”

“Well, that’s still so good. Thank you for your time Sam and keep working hard!”

The Lions ran their hearts out and gave it their all. Many of them felt they could have done so much better than they already did and we should look forward to seeing how great they do at the next meet! Stay Lion strong!